WeAreAwake.org

Interesting thread on IMDb – at least for a while (they always sink under the weight of the negative posters.). It’s called “Why do people hate the movie” (of course there are probably 20 threads like that there). One poster’s response raised a point I found interesting. The poster said he/she didn’t like Bob or Charlotte at all and I think may have even used the word “pathetic” to describe them. At least one other person essentially agreed.

I thought about that for a while and realized that a lot of people would probably find them pathetic. And for good reason – I think they probably were (by many people’s definition). OK – put the flamethrowers away and I’ll explain.

Having been in a similar place (emotionally, not geographically) once upon a time I realize that much of my thoughts and actions were less than proactive in solving the problems I was facing. I think it accurate to state that many people would have found me pathetic. I look back on some of my posts on this board relating to that situation and I realize there was a pathetic tone to them also - even as I was relating something that happended many years ago. But underlying all that (as I know the wonderful group we have here realizes) is someone’s reality. It would be great if we all had the insight and strength to sit up and take positive action whenever we feel low about something. But that’s not realistic – many people don’t. So LiT works just as well in my mind even if you don’t like Bob or Charlotte. Certainly the people who didn’t like the movie found it impossible to empathize with Bob and Char – and lack of empathy is a trait far too common in the world I’m afraid. (As one who leans Republican I will be the first to admit that is that party’s single largest fault – one that for personal reasons is making me question my party affiliation in the midst of other questions going on in my life.)

It’s probably what Ebert meant when he said that not “getting” the movie said more about that person than the reviewers who did. It was a lack of empathy – or maybe the ability to empathize. OK – one could argue that Sofia could have done a better job of creating that atmosphere – but I’m not one. Bob/Char were who they were – that’s all any of us are. We should be able to see people with a problem and see where they are coming from – not in effect say “it’s your problem – get over it!” “Pathetic” people are that way for a reason – the reason can be intriguing (as it was in LiT) or not, but it is there. Hopefully, John and Lydia had enough empathy (and love) for their partner to not act like the critics of LiT – essentially saying “don’t bother me – it’s your problem – get over it.”

Maybe it's the whole ignorance is bliss thing? I've noticed that a lot of the film characters i adore are referred to as "pathetic" or "losers" by others.I think it's because sometimes,the realness of these characters,and some of the situations they're all in at times,are just too real,and hit too close to people so they shy away when quite possibly a cord was struck that they didn't want to deal with.
Sometimes i think thats why a lot of people watch brainless films that require no thought or processing,because they don't want to deal with the emotions that thought provoking things bring?
I don't know.

I think that you both have very good points.

One thing that I will say though, is that mindles, non-thought provoking movies also have their place. Sometimes we all need an escape.

I have to agree. Especially if one is feeling alone or down - a thought provoking movie can certainly amplify those feelings perhaps even to an unhealthy extent.

And then again - sometimes it's the only thing someone has to relate to.

I didn't mean that as a put down for mindless movies because there are many of them that i love.People do need an escape,and since the very start of the movie industry that is what they have done for people.Provide an escape to places most of us will never see.I just think sometimes situations,and characters hit too close to home,and that's something people don't want to deal with.

To me, Bob was a pathetic lout for much of the movie. He didn't shake off his self-centered persona for good until the end of the movie. Charlotte kept nudging him to come out of his fog, and occasionally he did for a short while: when he belted out "Peace, Love, and Understanding," and during the "Black Toe" sequence and the following hospital scenes.